Nectarine tree named ‘NSRED15261’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of red blood nectarine tree denominated ‘NSRED15261’ has fruits with high eating quality and very long shelf life without alteration before and after harvesting, with a semi-sweet red blood colored flesh, and an attractive luminous and homogenous skin with a very high percentage of dark purple red blush on skin surface.

Botanical classification: Prunus persica (L.) Batsch.

Variety denomination: ‘NSRED15261’.

This application claims priority of Community plant variety right No.2017/3055 filed on Nov. 23, 2017 (Nov. 23, 2017) which is herebyincorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW VARIETY

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of bloodnectarine tree, also named red colored flesh nectarine, Prunus persica(L.) Batsch, which has been given the variety denomination ‘NSRED15261’.This new tree produces fruits with a long shelf life without alterationboth on the tree after growth completion and after harvesting, very goodeating quality, semi clingstone pink red or blood flesh fruits for freshmarket in June in the Pyrénées-Orientales department, France. Contrastis made to ‘NECTARPERF’ white nectarine tree (U.S. Plant Pat. No.23,357) for reliable description. ‘NSRED15261’ is a promising candidatefor commercial success in that it has very attractive fruits with verylong shelf life without alteration both before and after harvesting.

ORIGIN OF THE VARIETY

The ‘NSRED15261’ red nectarine tree originated from a cultivated area ofthe south of France, in the Pyrénées-Orientales department, where it wastested.

This place is under a Mediterranean climate (a temperate area), on theMediterranean coastline. Winters are gentle and summers warm and dry.The amount of days with temperatures below 7° Celsius can vary between700 and 1200 hours per year. The place is sunny, with 2400 to 2800 hoursof sunny days per year on average. The prevailing wind is called‘Tramontane’: it dries the air, clears the sky from clouds, but itsintensity can be strong and affect the harvest, fruit quantity and/orquality. Marine moisture does not affect the place. Precipitations areirregular through the year and from one year to another. The amount ofrainy days does not exceed 80 days per year and are mostly found inSpring and Autumn. In May and October, very intense precipitationsoccasionally happen. Summer is dry with a few thunderstorms.

The ‘NSRED15261’ variety resulted from an open pollination of the‘NECTARPERF’ white nectarine tree (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 23,357), whichwas used as the seed parent. Then, the pollen parent of the new variety‘NSRED15261’ remains unknown.

The ‘NSRED15261’ variety was obtained by hybridizing and propagated bygrafting on a “INRA® GF677” rootstock trees. It has been determined tohave unique tree and fruit characteristics making it worthy forcommercial fresh fruit production. There are no known effects of thestandard rootstock trees set forth above on the scion cultivar.Asexually propagated plants remained true to the original tree and allcharacteristics of the tree and the fruit were transmitted. The plantwas reproduced asexually by us in Les Régalines, Route d'Alenya, LaPrade de Mousseillous, 66200 ELNE, Pyrénées-Orientales, France. Moreparticularly, the plant was reproduced by grafting.

SUMMARY OF THE VARIETY

The new and distinct variety ‘NSRED15261’ red nectarine tree bloomsduring March near Elne in the Pyrénées-Orientales department, France.More particularly, it blooms between March 6^(th) and March 15^(th). Theblooming period is considered medium. However, it was observed that itsdate of blooming seems to be highly dependant on climatic conditions.

The first fruit of ‘NSRED15261’ ripens generally in June. Moreparticularly, it usually ripens between June 5^(th) and June 23^(rd).However, it was observed that its early date of maturity seems to behighly dependant on climatic conditions.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the accompanying drawing, which are as nearly true as it isreasonably possible to make in a color illustration of this type:

FIG. 1 is a color photograph of which shows a view of a tree of the newvariety in orchard, with branches bearing fruits.

FIG. 2 is a color photograph which shows the upper and lower sides ofleaves of the variety and four typical specimens of the fruit, onehaving been cut in halves with the stone being left into one of thehalves for depicting fruit flesh stone and stone cavity of the newvariety.

FIG. 3 is a color photograph that shows a close view of typical fruitsof the new variety ‘NSRED15261’ at ripening time, one fruit having beencut in halves, the photograph showing one of the halves with stone.

FIG. 4 is a color photograph showing different close views of fourtypical fruits of the new variety ‘NSRED15261’ at ripening time.

FIG. 5 is a color photograph showing different close views of typicalfruits of the new variety ‘NSRED15261’ at ripening time.

FIG. 6 is a color photograph that show different views of the stone ofthe new variety, one of the stones having been cut in half, and thekernel of the stone.

The views of trees and trunk have been photographed in their thirdgrowing season (second year of production). The views of fruits, leavesand stones have been photographed in their second growing season (firstyear of production).

Due to chemical development, processing and printing, the leaves andfruit depicted in these photographs may or may not be accurate whencompared to the actual botanical specimen.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The tree, flowers, and fruit may vary in slight detail due to variationsin soil type, cultural practices, and climatic condition. The potentialfor commercial production of fresh fruits by ‘NSRED15261’ is high, dueto fruit very long shelf life without alteration after harvesting.

Trees are medium vigorous and large stature half-standing in asemi-flared aspect. The anthocyanic coloration of flowering shoot ispresent excluding brushwood side away from sun. The time of beginning offlowering is considered medium; the flowering usually begins early inMarch. The type of flower is showy (rosette) with medium petal size.Petals are colored in pink. Leaf glands are present and round. The fruitflesh is pink red also named blood red. The fruit skin is medium thick,with a homogenous dark purple red color on a red background. The stoneis semi clingstone and its size is medium. Fruit taste is semi-sweet,very aromatic and with a high level of sugars.

Compared to ‘NECTARPERF’ white nectarine tree (U.S. Plant Pat. No.23,357), which is the seed parent of ‘NSRED15261’, the new variety showsa surprising pink blood red flesh color whereas the fruits of‘NECTARPERF’ present a white colored flesh.

The ripening time of the new variety ‘NSRED15261’ is considered early,namely during June, whereas the fruits of the variety ‘NECTARPERF’ ripenlate during the season, namely at the end of August or early inSeptember depending on the years.

Moreover, the leaf glands of the new variety ‘NSRED15261’ are round,whereas the leaf glands of ‘NECTARPERF’ are reniform in shape.

The new variety ‘NSRED15261’ has an early date of fruit maturity.Compared to ‘NSRED15262’ blood nectarine tree (U.S. Plant patentapplication Ser. No. 16/350,454), the ‘NSRED15261’ usually ripens oneweek earlier.

The fruits of the ‘NSRED15261’ variety are smaller in size compared tothose of ‘NSRED15262’. More particularly, the fruits of ‘NSRED15261’ areconsidered to have a B size whereas the fruits of ‘NSRED15262’ arebigger with a size usually between B and A. The fruits of ‘NSRED15262’are more sugary than the fruits of ‘NSRED15262’.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring more specifically to the pomological details of this new anddistinct variety of red nectarine tree, the following was observed ontrees in their second growing season (first year of production) forfruits, leaves and stones and on trees in their third growing season(second year of production) for the trees, flowers and trunk, under theecological conditions prevailing at the orchards located near the townof Elne, Pyrénées-Orientales departement, France. All observations havebeen done on rootstock cultivars. Used rootstocks were “INRA® GF677”trees. All major color code designations are by reference to The R.H.S.(Royal Horticultural Society) Colour Chart (Fourth Edition) provided byThe Royal Horticultural Society of Great Britain.

-   Tree:    -   -   Size.—        -   Generally.—Considered large. The tree size the first year            was approximately 250 cm. The tree was pruned during each            following dormant season to a height of approximately            250 cm. Current season shoots growth could reach 60 to            80 cm. The tree size from the second year (second and next            years) reached a final height of 310 to 330 cm including            current season shoots length. The tree size is consistently            reduced to 250 cm the next years.        -   Spread.—Approximately 100 cm with a cylindrical shape. The            whole orchard was oriented to a central leader organization,            with tree lines spaced of 4.0 meters and trees spaced of 1.0            meter in a same tree line. As a result, tree spread was            about 100 cm and the orchard contained 2500 trees by            hectare.        -   Vigor.—Considered medium vigorous.        -   Productivity.—Very Productive and regular, every year. Fruit            set is spaced by thinning to develop the remaining fruit            into the desired market sized fruit. The number of the fruit            set varies with the prevailing climatic conditions and            cultural practices employed during the bloom period and is            therefore not distinctive of the present variety.        -   Bearer.—Very regular. The fruit distribution is considered            homogenous on mixed branches and spurs having more than 1            year. Thinning of 1 fruit out of 3 was necessary for the            tree valorisation. Thinning was necessary every year during            the years of observation.        -   Form.—The ‘NSRED15261’ variety has naturally a semi-flared            shape.        -   Density.—Considered dense.        -   Hardiness.—The present tree was grown and evaluated in            France. The variety appears to be hardy under the central            Pyrénées-Orientales departement typical climatic conditions.            Experimentations on the same orchard in Elne,            Pyrénées-Orientales department, with winter chilling            requirement below 7.2° C. comprised between 700 hours and            1200 hours according to the specificities of the year,            namely 1031 hours in 2012-2013, 777 hours in 2013-2014, 893            hours in 2014-2015, 718 hours in 2015-2016, and 825 hours in            2016-2017 and 1017 hours in 2017-2018 showed a good            behaviour of the trees in all cases. No damages were caused            by ascertained temperatures as low as −12 degrees Celsius in            winter. The tree was also very resistant to frosty            springtime weather.-   Trunk:    -   -   Diameter.—Approximately 58.0 to 70.0 millimeters in diameter            when measured at a distance of approximately 20.0            centimeters above the soil level on their 3^(rd) growing            season.        -   Bark texture.—Considered rough, with lenticels.        -   Lenticels.—Numerous lenticels are present. The number of            lenticels reaches 2 lenticels per cm². The lenticels range            in size from approximately 2.0 to 2.5 millimeters in height            and from approximately 5.0 to 7.0 millimeters in width.        -   Lenticel color.—The lenticels have a beige color (RHS Greyed            Orange 164 B).        -   Bark coloration.—The bark has a light brown (RHS Greyed            Orange 165 A) to slightly grey (RHS Grey 201 A) color.-   Branches:    -   -   Size.—Mature branches and current season shoots are            considered medium for the variety.        -   Diameter.—Average as compared to other nectarine varieties.            The current season shoots have a diameter of approximately            4.0 to 6.0 millimeters, and branches in their second growing            season have a diameter from 8.0 to 12.0 millimeters.        -   Surface texture.—Average, wood which is several years old            has no furrowed appearance.        -   Crotch angles.—Primary branches are considered variable, but            the crotch angles are generally between 30 degrees for the            current season shoots and 45 degrees for the mature branches            from the horizontal axis. This particular characteristic is            not considered distinctive of the variety, however.        -   Internode length.—Generally between 14.0 and 18.0            millimeters for the current season shoots and between 16.0            and 20.0 millimeters for the mature branches.        -   Current seasons shoots.—        -   Color.—The color of new shoot tips is considered green (RHS            Yellow Green 145 A) on lower part of new shoot tips, whereas            the upper part is darker and colored in brown-purple (RHS            Greyed Purple 183 B).        -   Surface texture.—Smooth, without lenticel.        -   Mature branches.—        -   Color of mature branches.—Light brown (RHS Grey Brown N199            C).        -   Surface texture.—The surface texture of mature branches is            rough, with small lenticels.        -   Lenticels.—The number of lenticels on mature branches            reaches 2 lenticels per cm². The lenticels range in size            from approximately 0.5 millimeter in height and from            approximately 1.0 to 2.0 millimeters in width. The lenticels            are stretched round in shape.        -   Lenticel color.—The lenticels on mature branches have a            beige color (RHS Greyed Orange 164 B) similar to the trunk's            lenticels color.-   Leaves:    -   -   Size.—Considered medium to large for the species.        -   Leaf length.—Approximately 158.0 to 189.5 millimeters with            leaf petiole.        -   Leaf width.—Approximately 41.0 to 49.0 millimeters.        -   Leaf base shape.—Concave.        -   Leaf form.—Lanceolate.        -   Leaf tip form.—Acuminate.        -   Leaf base form.—Acute.        -   Leaf thickness.—Medium.        -   Leaf color.—        -   Upper leaf surface.—Green (RHS Yellow Green 147 A).        -   Lower surface.—A lighter green (RHS Yellow Green 146 A or            RHS Yellow Green 147 B) than the upper leaf surface color.        -   Leaf texture.—Smooth and glabrous on both surfaces.        -   Leaf venation.—Pinnately veined.        -   Mid-vein.—        -   Color.—The mid-vein or midrib is light green (RHS Yellow            Green 145 B or RHS Yellow Green 145 C). The color may evolve            with maturity.        -   Thickness.—Approximately 2.0 millimeters.        -   Lateral veins.—        -   Color.—The lateral veins are considered a light green (RHS            Yellow Green 145 B or RHS Yellow Green 145 C) similar to the            midrib color.        -   Leaf margins.—Slightly undulating.        -   Form.—Considered dentate or crenate.        -   Uniformity.—Leaves are isolated or grouped by 2 or 3. In            this last case, one leaf of normal size is found with one or            two smaller leaves (at least 50% smaller).        -   Leaf petioles.—        -   Size.—Considered medium.        -   Shape.—Ribbed.        -   Length.—About 9.0 to about 17.0 millimeters.        -   Diameter.—About 1.5 to 2.20 millimeters.        -   Petioles color.—        -   Upper petiole surface.—Green (RHS Yellow Green 144 A or RHS            Green 143 C).        -   Lower surface.—Light green (RHS Yellow Green 144 B to RHS            Yellow Green 144 C).        -   Leaf glands.—        -   Size.—Considered small. Their length is about 1.0            millimeters and their width is about 1.0 millimeter.        -   Number.—Generally 2 glands per leaf.        -   Type.—Round.        -   Color.—On young leaves, leaf glands color is considered a            light green (RHS Green 144 B to RHS Green 144 A). On older            leaves, leaf glands color turns to a dark brown (RHS Grey            Brown N 199 A to RHS Grey Brown N 199 B).        -   Margins.—Smooth and regular.        -   Leaf stipules.—        -   Generally.—No leaf stipules were observed. But as seen in            the characteristic relative to the leaves uniformity, it is            possible to find leaves by groups of 2 or 3, with a            normal-size leaf and smaller ones.-   Flowers:    -   -   Flower buds.—        -   Generally.—At pre-floral stage of development, the floral            buds are round in form with a round tip. Their form is            evolving until blooming, with variables dimensions. Just            before blooming, floral buds are approximately 8.0 to 9.0            millimeters wide and approximately 15.0 to 18.0 millimeters            long. The distribution of the flower buds is considered            homogenous on the trees.        -   Color.—This characteristic is dependent upon the proximity            to bloom. At pre-floral stage of development (stage A), the            bottom of the flowers buds, or calyx, or flower receptacle,            is of purple-brown color at the outer surface of the calyx            (RHS Greyed Purple 187 A or RHS Greyed Purple 187 B). The            inner surface of the calyx is considered orange (RHS Orange            N 25 C) The corolla, formed by the petals, is generally of            pink color (RHS Red Purple 65 A). Petal and sepal color            shows an evolution until the end of flowering.        -   Hardiness.—The buds are considered hardy under typical            central Pyrénées-Orientales departement climatic conditions.            No winter injury was noted during the last several years of            evaluation in the central Pyrénées-Orientales departement,            with winter temperatures as low as -10 degrees Celsius in            January. The current variety has not been intentionally            subjected to drought or heat stress, but the variety showed            a very good resistance in orchard to temperatures up to 42            degrees Celsius with an average temperature between 28 and            30 degrees Celsius during 3 weeks in summer.        -   Date of bloom.—The blooming time generally begins early in            March. The first bloom was observed on Mar. 8, 2016.        -   Blooming time.—Considered medium-season in relative            comparison to other commercial nectarine cultivars grown in            the Pyrénées-Orientales departement, France. The date of            full bloom is observed at the middle of the blooming period.            The date of bloom varies slightly with climatic conditions            and cultural practices. Thus the first full bloom was            observed from March 8^(th) until Mar. 15, 2016, then from            March 6^(th) until Mar. 13, 2017.        -   Duration of bloom.—Approximately 8 days. This characteristic            varies slightly with the prevailing climatic conditions.        -   Flower type.—The variety is considered to have a showy type            flower (rosette type).        -   Flower size.—Considered medium. Flower diameter at full            bloom is approximately 41.0 to 43.0 millimeters.        -   Bloom quantity.—Considered abundant, approximately between            35 and 40 flowers per meter, with a good distribution and a            high rate of fruit set.        -   Flower bud frequency.—Generally 2 flower buds appear per            node, occasionally 1.        -   Petal size.—        -   Generally.—Considered medium.        -   Length.—Generally between 20.0 to 23.0 millimeters.        -   Width.—Generally 20.0 to 22.0 millimeters.        -   Petal form.—Round-shaped.        -   Petal count.—Generally 5.        -   Petal texture.—Smooth.        -   Arrangements of petals.—Slightly overlapping.        -   Petal color.—Both surfaces of the petal are colored in pink            (RHS Red purple 62 B to RHS Red purple 62 C) when young,            becoming slightly darker until the end of blooming.        -   Fragrance.—Sweet.        -   Petal claw.—        -   Form.—The claw is considered to be narrower at the base.        -   Length.—Approximately 1.5 to 2.0 millimeters.        -   Width.—Approximately 1.5 millimeters at the base.        -   Color.—A darker pink (RHS Red Purple 60 A to RHS Red Purple            60 B) than the petal color.        -   Petal margins.—Generally considered slightly undulating.        -   Petal apex.—        -   Generally.—The petal apices are generally wide-dome shaped.        -   Flower pedicel.—        -   Length.—Considered medium and having an average length of            approximately 2.0 to 3.5 millimeters.        -   Diameter.—Considered average, approximately 1.5 to 1.75            millimeters.        -   Color.—Green (RHS Yellow Green 144 A to RHS Yellow Green 144            B).        -   Calyx.—        -   Internal surface texture.—Smooth.        -   Color.—At the stage F of blooming, when the flower is open,            the inner surface of the calyx, or flower receptacle, is            matt and considered golden-orange (RHS Yellow Orange 21 A or            RHS Yellow Orange 21 B). The outer surface of the calyx is            considered of purple-brown color (RHS Greyed Purple 187 A or            RHS Greyed Purple 187 B).        -   Sepals.—        -   Number.—Generally five sepals.        -   Shape.—Conic with a round tip.        -   Surface texture.—The outer surface has a short, fine            pubescent texture.        -   Margins.—Smooth.        -   Size.—Medium.        -   Length.—Approximately 5.0 to 6.5 millimeters.        -   Width.—Approximately 4.5 to 5.5 millimeters.        -   Color.—At the stage F of blooming, the lower surface of the            sepals is greenish (RHS Yellow Green 146 A to RHS Yellow            Green 146 B). The upper surface of sepals are colored with a            purple-brown color (RHS Greyed Purple 187 A to RHS Greyed            Purple 187 B).        -   Average number of stamens per flower.—Approximately 29 to 34            stamens per flower.        -   Anthers.—        -   Generally.—Medium in length.        -   Color.—Red color (RHS Red 45 A) to yellow color (RHS Yellow            11 B) depending on the maturity stage.        -   Pollen production.—Pollen production is considered medium            and the pollen shows a yellow color (RHS Yellow 12 C) which            may evolve with maturity. The present variety is considered            auto-fertile (self-pollinating).        -   Filaments.—        -   Size.—Medium length, between 11.0 and 14.0 millimeters in            length. Filaments length is generally smaller than the            pistil's length.        -   Color.—Considered white (RHS White N155 B) to light pink            (RHS Red Purple 65 A to RHS Red Purple 65 B) depending on            the maturity stage. The color evolves and becomes darker            during the blooming.        -   Pistil.—        -   Number.—Usually 1.        -   Generally.—Average in size.        -   Length.—Approximately 18.0 to 20 millimeters including the            ovary. Generally higher than stamen length.        -   Color.—Considered green (RHS Yellow Green 145 B to RHS            Yellow Green 145 C) at the beginning of flowering, it            becomes lighter, almost yellowish (RHS Yellow Green 151 B to            RHS Yellow Green 151 C) during the blooming.        -   Stigma.—Approximately 1.0 millimeter in diameter, with a            yellowish color (RHS Yellow Green 151 B to RHS Yellow Green            151 C).        -   Ovary.—Approximately 2.0 to 3.0 millimeters in height. The            diameter of the ovary is about 1.0 to 1.5 millimeters. The            color is considered green (RHS Yellow Green 145 A).-   Fruit:    -   -   Maturity when described.—Very firm in ripe conditions            (shipping ripe).        -   Date of first picking.—Jun. 10, 2015.        -   Date of last picking.—The date of harvest varies slightly            with the prevailing climatic conditions. The ‘NSRED15261’            variety has an early date of picking, and a grouped            maturity. The maturity is grouped within 7 to 8 days and the            harvest is generally performed in two runs. Last known            picking times carry on from June 10^(th) to Jun. 16, 2015,            then from June 16^(th) to Jun. 23, 2016, then from June            5^(th) to Jun. 11, 2017 and then from June 11^(th) to Jun.            17, 2018        -   Size.—        -   Generally.—Homogeneous in size. Generally, size B or A or            2A.        -   Average cheek diameter.—Approximately 60.0 to 63.0            millimeters.        -   Average axial diameter.—Approximately 52.0 to 59.0            millimeters.        -   Typical weight.—Generally about 115.0 to 130.0 grams. This            characteristic is high dependent upon the prevailing            cultural practices, and therefore is not particularly            distinctive of the variety.        -   Fruit form.—        -   Generally.—Round and regular. The fruit is generally uniform            in symmetry, viewed from the suture's plane.        -   Fruit suture.—Wide-mouthed and slightly marked, extending            from the base to the apex. No apparent callousing or            stitching exists along the suture line. Not pointed.        -   Mucron.—Absent.        -   Suture.—        -   Color.—The suture has generally a similar red color to the            whole fruit color (RHS Greyed Purple N 186 A to RHS Greyed            Purple N 186 B or RHS Greyed Purple 187 A or RHS Purple N 77            A).        -   Ventral surface.—        -   Form.—Smooth.        -   Apex.—Non-prominent, generally slightly depressed.        -   Base.—Semi-flared, shallow.        -   Stem cavity.—Average depth of the stem cavity is about 6.0            to 10.0 millimeters. Average width is about 13.0 to 18.0            millimeters.        -   Fruit skin.—        -   Thickness.—Considered very thick and strong, and the            adherence of skin to flesh is strong to medium, depending on            the fruit maturity.        -   Texture.—Smooth and glabrous, without any pubescence.        -   Taste.—Semi-sweet, aromatic, with a high level of sugars.        -   Tendency to crack.—None observed.        -   Color.—        -   Blush color.—This blush color is dark purple red (RHS Greyed            Purple N186 A to RHS Greyed Purple N186 B or RHS Greyed            Purple 187 A or RHS Purple N77 A). The red blush covers 95            to 100% of the fruit skin surface on a red background (RHS            Greyed Purple 185 A or RHS Greyed Purple 187 A). The            percentage of the blush on the fruit skin surface can vary            and is generally dependant upon the prevailing conditions            under which the fruit was grown.        -   Ground color.—The ground color covers at the most 5% of the            fruit skin surface, and is considered red (RHS Greyed Purple            185 A or RHS Greyed Purple 187 A).        -   Lenticels.—Very few lenticels are present.        -   Fruit stem.—Medium in length, approximately 8.0 to 10.0            millimeters.        -   Diameter.—Approximately 3.0 to 4.0 millimeters.        -   Color.—Pale green (RHS Yellow Green 144 A or RHS Yellow            Green 145 A).        -   Flesh.—        -   Ripens.—Very homogenously, slowly. The flesh has a long            shelf life.        -   Texture.—Very firm, very dense, crunchy, melting, juicy at            harvest maturity stage.        -   Fibers.—Not fibrous.        -   Aroma.—Pronounced.        -   Eating quality.—Considered very good and aromatic.        -   Flavor.—Considered semi-sweet, sugary and very aromatic. The            Brix is generally superior to 12 and acidity comprised            between 6 and 9 meq/100 ml.        -   Juice.—Very juicy at complete maturity.        -   Brix.—Generally between 13.0 to 16.0 degrees. This            characteristic varies slightly with the number of fruit per            tree; prevailing cultural practices; and the surrounding            climatic conditions.        -   Flesh color.—The flesh of the new variety ‘NSRED15261’ is            colored in a dark red (RHS Greyed Purple 187 B or RHS Red 45            A), also named blood red color, usually with a white circle            around the stone cavity on approximately 5.0 millimeters.            Sometimes, the color is identical, i.e. dark purple red,            around the stone cavity (the white circle is absent).-   Stone:    -   -   Type.—Semi clingstone, more or less adherent depending on            the fruit maturity.        -   Size.—Considered medium to small for the variety. The stone            size varies significantly depending upon the tree vigor,            crop load and prevailing growing conditions.        -   Length.—Approximately 24.0 to 28.0 millimeters.        -   Width.—Approximately 20.0 to 22.0 millimeters.        -   Diameter.—Approximately 14.0 to 18.0 millimeters.        -   Form.—Oval.        -   Base.—Round.        -   Apex.—        -   Shape.—The stone apex is short, pointed.        -   Stone cavity.—Considered small to medium size, with an            ovate-form and dimensions corresponding to the stone's            dimensions.        -   Stone surface.—        -   Surface texture.—The pit is transversely furrowed on its            entire surface. Furrows are more pronounced toward the apex.            The stone is pitted toward the base. Relief is prominent            generally and present basally.        -   Ridges.—The surface texture is generally characterized by            more prominent ridges along the ventral edges and is more            prominent at the apical tip.        -   Ventral edge.—        -   Width.—Considered small to medium, and having a dimension of            approximately 2.0 to 3.0 millimeters at mid-suture.        -   Dorsal edge.—        -   Shape.—Grooved.        -   Stone color.—The color of the dry stone is generally            considered light orange brown (RHS Greyed Orange 164 B to            RHS Greyed Orange 164 C or RHS Greyed Orange 165 C).        -   Tendency to split.—Splitting is very low or absent,            depending on climatic conditions between blooming period and            stone hardening.        -   Kernel.—        -   Size.—The kernel is considered medium.        -   Length.—Approximately 14.0 to 16.0 millimeters.        -   Width.—Approximately 9.0 to 10.0 millimeters.        -   Thickness.—Approximately 3.0 to 6.0 millimeters.        -   Form.—Considered flattened and elliptic.        -   Pellicle.—The pellicle of the kernel has a short pubescence.        -   Color.—The kernel skin is a orange-brown (RHS Greyed Orange            165 A or RHS Greyed Orange 165 B or RHS Greyed Orange N167 A            to RHS Greyed Orange N167 B). The almond, which is the seed            of the kernel, is white (RHS White 155 B) and has a sweet            tasting. The kernel and its embryo are mature at the time of            fruit maturity.        -   Use.—The subject variety ‘NSRED15261’ is considered to be a            nectarine tree having an early season of maturity, and which            produces fruits that are considered firm, attractively            colored with a very luminous purple red. The high content of            antioxidant in the red flesh convert fruits in a very            healthy product. Fruits have a semi-sweet taste and are            excellent for uncooked consumption, crunchy or melting when            at full maturity. Fruits have excellent gustative qualities.            Due to their flesh quality, firmness and density, they can            also be commercialized as 4th range product (packed fruit or            fruit in bags for example). And they are also useful for            both local and very long distance shipping.        -   Keeping quality.—Remarkable. Fruit have a slow maturation            and a long shelf life both on the tree after growth            completion and after harvesting without alteration. After            growth completion, fruits are preserved more than one week.            After harvest, fruits are well preserved more than 4 weeks            at 2.0 degree Celsius.        -   Shipping quality.—Considered very good. The fruit of the new            red blood nectarine variety showed minimal bruising of the            flesh or skin damage after being subjected to normal            harvesting and packing procedures. Its resistance to            handling during harvest and packing and its long shelf life            without alteration after harvest easily permit 3 to 4            weeks-shipping at 2 degrees Celsius.        -   Resistance to insects and disease.—No particular            susceptibilities were noted. The present variety is not very            sensitive to powdery mildew, or conservation diseases and            decay due to its thick and strong skin.

Although the new variety of nectarine tree possesses the describedcharacteristics when grown under the ecological conditions prevailingnear Elne, Pyrénées-Orientales departement, France, it should beunderstood that variations of the usual magnitude and characteristicsincident to changes in growing conditions, fertilization, pruning, pestcontrol and horticultural management are to be expected.

We claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of red blood nectarine tree asillustrated and described, characterized by fruits with high eatingquality and very long shelf life without alteration before and afterharvesting, with a semi-sweet red blood colored flesh, and an attractiveluminous and homogenous skin with a very high percentage of dark purplered blush on skin surface.